The City of Fernie has entered into an agreement with Mountain High River Adventures Inc. to offer a new evening shuttle between the City and Fernie Alpine Resort (FAR) beginning December 16.
The shuttle will provide visitors and residents with convenient access to shopping, entertainment and recreational activities in town after the daytime shuttle closes.
The city is investing $40,000 in order to have the shuttle run from December 16, 2011 to April 15, 2012. Option for agreement to be continued through 2012 - 2013 season is at the discretion of the City.
On Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday two buses will complete a one-way transit of the route every 30 minutes from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and one bus will complete a one-way transit route every 30 minutes between 9 p.m. and 1 a.m.
On Thursday, Friday and Saturday, two buses will complete a one-way transit of the route every 30 minutes between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. and one bus will complete a one-way transit every 30 minutes between the hours of 9 p.m. and 2 a.m.
The City has also approved a $7,500 emergency interim one-time funding agreement with Tourism Fernie to support a daytime shuttle. Tourism Fernie is entering into talks with the evening shuttle operators to see if they can work out a deal to use the same buses and staff.
“In the past the city and the resort municipality and infrastructure fund has funded the evening shuttle and we realize now that supporting both a daytime and evening shuttle is becoming essential,” said Councillor Randal Macnair. “In this case we are extraordinarily fortunate that a lot of the businesses have stepped up to the plate, Resorts of the Canadian Rockies (RCR) is contributing approximately $25,000 and the city is contributing $40,000 to the evening shuttle with an additional $7500 to the daytime shuttle. We would like to get more local people using the shuttle as a viable means to get up and down from the mountain.
Service will start near the Snow Creek or Lizard Creek Lodge at FAR and the other will commence service near the Best Western.
Fares will be no more than $3 for each one way trip on the route plus tax as applicable.